MP600 at work

BASguy · **on:** May 30, 2015, 02:06:23 AM

I recently acquired a nice BO MP600 military version and have been using it around the ranch and on weekends. I've found that it is a very good performer. I was initially skeptical of getting one, but really wanted another BO tool and was very disappointed by the Rebar I had recently purchased. I figured I'd give the USA made Gerber a shot. It's worked so well, that I figured I'd get the Bladeless model so I'd have scissors and a saw. I have no real need for a MultiTool blade as I EDC a Pioneer, so that seemed like the best option as it gave me the entire tool set I need. I'm a bit skeptical of the Remgrit saw, but we'll see how it does.
I've had it a week now, and actually carried it for work everyday just to get a real feel for it and I gotta say I'm very impressed. The OHO deployable pliers are great, because I use pliers quite a bit. The drivers are a bit stubby, but not enough to cause an issue with any of the equipment I work on. The scissors are good, the cutters work well, and I can even strip small gauge stranded copper wire. It's not great at that, but it'll work in a pinch and that's what I need.
Overall, I gotta say that I really like this tool and I'm gonna continue to use it at work for a few weeks to see how well it performs in the range of equipment I work on. So far, it's seen a pretty broad spectrum and is up for the job, so I imagine it's going to get a permanent spot in the rotation with the Spirit. At the least I'm gonna have to put one, or two, of the Spirits up for sale as I don't need all these backups now

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Lynn LeFey · **Reply #1 on:** May 30, 2015, 02:46:48 AM

Very Cool.

I'd definitely have the MP600 on a short-list of tools I'd consider if I had a field job. They've always felt like tanks to me. Like they'd take anything you threw at them.

scattergun13 · **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2015, 02:57:23 AM

I agree and am a 600 fan as well. I have many models from about every major manufacturer but for the price it's very hard to beat the rugged, AK-47 like versatility of a Gerber 600. Please let us know how the RemGrit saw works out for you. I've found it to be marginal at best on wood but for other things such as PVC and similar mediums it's more than up to the task. I seem to have trouble finding actual replacements though. Thanks for posting and PM me if you decide to part with any of the Vic's. I could always use a backup.

Loyalty,

Stew...

jerseydevil · **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2015, 03:08:45 AM

The MP600, eh? I think I have one of them.....

Glad to hear you're liking it. They really are like the Kalashnikovs of the MT world - a bit ugly and rattly, but reliable as hell.

And for the record, I have six of them.

BASguy · **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2015, 04:04:03 AM

6..... Lol. They really are well suited for field work. I'm always dropping the damn things and generally beating the snot out them. They passed the glove test, which really surprised me. My Wave, though a great tool, sucked when trying to deploy tools with gloves on. The Rebar I tried out was just a nail buster, so the glove test was pointless. I have no issue deploying the Gerber tools with gloves on. That's probably my single most important criteria. It's not as easy getting to them as the Spirit, but I'm never in a rush to deploy tools, so it's not a major deal.
I really like how wide the pliers open, that's a bonus. I usually use the saws for drywall, never have much of reason to cut wood, but I am considering picking up a couple of universal jig saw blades to have a variety available. It looks like a common 2" should work OK.

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scattergun13 · **Reply #5 on:** May 30, 2015, 05:21:17 AM

What I've found most shocking about this thread is that Jersey claims to only have 6 of them! He is a man of the "drop cloth" (inside joke) and not prone to false statements. He is known as Father Flicky for good reason and possesses biblical like knowledge of all things "Flicky".

Nevertheless, as a disciple of the Flicky faith myself and one of his deacons, I must still question the validity of his claim to only possess 6 of these Holy instruments. Father Flicky, hast thou possibly misspoken and left out a 0 after that evil number 6?

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #6 on:** May 30, 2015, 06:24:04 AM

That's just the 600s. I'm sure he has a small mound of mp4XXs

Also, I assume there's acquisition-then-distrobution going on, and he only had 6 AT THE MOMENT.

The comparison of the MP600 with the AK47 is dead on, I think.

buck · **Reply #7 on:** May 30, 2015, 12:39:14 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/351405635571?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I recently [stole] this pro ~~scount~~ scout blunt that has everything I want (except an awl). It even has scissors and turned out to be in perfect shape. I have another BO blunt that I need to put some Diesel scissors in. I'll probably sharpen up that claw Diesel can opener and use that for an awl. Anybody know how to open up the goofy fasteners on a Diesel? Searching around here it looks like just a torx bit is needed?

Lichtbote · **Reply #8 on:** May 30, 2015, 04:17:55 PM

I recently tried my MP600 again at work - and already after one day i was so pi**ed of it, it ended going back on the shelf behind glas. More or less useless if more than the pliers were needed, took forever to deploy the blade to open parcels ......

End of that test it was clear (for me) ... i now carry my Surge in my workclothes pocket every day at the job, and my Leatherman OHT is now my edc for private use after work.

kirk13 · **Reply #9 on:** May 30, 2015, 06:11:24 PM

We're still eagerly waiting for the Night of the Zombie MP600...when the tool that was buried a year ago is raised from the grave

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #10 on:** May 30, 2015, 06:26:36 PM

Quote from: kirk13 on May 30, 2015, 06:11:24 PM

We're still eagerly waiting for the Night of the Zombie MP600...when the tool that was buried a year ago is raised from the grave

I'm actually more excited about this than the new Star Wars movie. Because I'm a pathetic junky for tool abuse.

scattergun13 · **Reply #11 on:** May 30, 2015, 06:40:51 PM

Quote from: Lynn LeFey on May 30, 2015, 06:26:36 PM

Quote from: kirk13 on May 30, 2015, 06:11:24 PM
We're still eagerly waiting for the Night of the Zombie MP600...when the tool that was buried a year ago is raised from the grave

I'm actually more excited about this than the new Star Wars movie. Because I'm a pathetic junky for tool abuse.

I don't think I would characterise what you do as abuse. More like realistic usability testing. After all, I learned everything I know about can openers from you.

Loyalty,

Stew...

lowtech · **Reply #12 on:** May 30, 2015, 07:09:48 PM

Quote from: Lichtbote on May 30, 2015, 04:17:55 PM

I recently tried my MP600 again at work - and already after one day i was so pi**ed of it, it ended going back on the shelf behind glas. More or less useless if more than the pliers were needed, took forever to deploy the blade to open parcels ......

End of that test it was clear (for me) ... i now carry my Surge in my workclothes pocket every day at the job, and my Leatherman OHT is now my edc for private use after work.

For me it was exactly the other way round. I tested out the Surge on several occasions. After the first test run I made it a Bluntnose Tool, but it still would not convince me, although the blades are of course much easier to get at. I still crry my MP 600, the pliers are the best for my uses. As always, your experiences may vary. I´d totally be in for a MP 600 with a few outside opening tools, mind you. Say file, blade and scissors maybe? A thinner chassis with outside opening tools on one side would be an improvement already, imagine the MP 600 with two Octane like outside tools.

Lichtbote · **Reply #13 on:** May 30, 2015, 07:42:16 PM

With some outside and oho tools i would see no reason not to like the MP600.

My dislike is not the tools and their function, it´s only the unwanted effort to open them before use. The same dislike i have for the Leathermans with inboard tools.

BASguy · **Reply #14 on:** May 30, 2015, 08:05:18 PM

Quote from: Lichtbote on May 30, 2015, 07:42:16 PM

With some outside and oho tools i would see no reason not to like the MP600.

My dislike is not the tools and their function, it´s only the unwanted effort to open them before use. The same dislike i have for the Leathermans with inboard tools.

Valid points, as IMO nothing can beat the spring loaded outside opening of the VIC tools. If that's the criteria, they are the undisputed king in ease of deployment. However, I've mentioned before that my work environment requires a high degree of PPE and safety standards, so I'm simply never in a rush to deploy tools. The MT blades are a non factor, and since the MP600 tool set deploys so much easier with gloves on than any of (currently 11) Leatherman tools that I have, it's become the current alternate choice to the Spirit. It's flickiness and overall AK47 feel (I own 3 AK's and highly prefer shooting them over my AR's which are just plain finicky) make it, for now, my work EDC.

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BASguy · **Reply #15 on:** May 30, 2015, 08:07:03 PM

I love that Kalashnikov/AK comparison.....dead on

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jerseydevil · **Reply #16 on:** May 30, 2015, 09:57:15 PM

Quote from: Lynn LeFey on May 30, 2015, 06:24:04 AM

That's just the 600s. I'm sure he has a small mound of mp4XXs

Also, I assume there's acquisition-then-distrobution going on, and he only had 6 AT THE MOMENT.

The comparison of the MP600 with the AK47 is dead on, I think.

Correct, that's just the 600's. A 400, a 450, my bladeless 425 mod, a Flik, an Octane, two Gerber Mr. Pinchy's, a Carolina Mr. Pinchy (made by Gerber in China), and if the Balance counts, that too.

There was a mention in a thread a while back that I was the first to call the old Gerbers Mr. Pinchy. I'm not surprised, but am surprised how the name has stuck to them here. It's a Simpsons reference, the name of Homer's pet lobster.

kirk13 · **Reply #17 on:** May 30, 2015, 09:59:54 PM

Quote from: Lynn LeFey on May 30, 2015, 06:26:36 PM

Quote from: kirk13 on May 30, 2015, 06:11:24 PM
We're still eagerly waiting for the Night of the Zombie MP600...when the tool that was buried a year ago is raised from the grave

I'm actually more excited about this than the new Star Wars movie. Because I'm a pathetic junky for tool abuse.

That,and like me,you don't want to see another cherished childhood memory defiled....again!

BASguy · **Reply #18 on:** May 30, 2015, 10:56:52 PM

Quote from: jerseydevil on May 30, 2015, 09:57:15 PM

Quote from: Lynn LeFey on May 30, 2015, 06:24:04 AM
That's just the 600s. I'm sure he has a small mound of mp4XXs

Also, I assume there's acquisition-then-distrobution going on, and he only had 6 AT THE MOMENT.

The comparison of the MP600 with the AK47 is dead on, I think.

Correct, that's just the 600's. A 400, a 450, my bladeless 425 mod, a Flik, an Octane, two Gerber Mr. Pinchy's, a Carolina Mr. Pinchy (made by Gerber in China), and if the Balance counts, that too.

There was a mention in a thread a while back that I was the first to call the old Gerbers Mr. Pinchy. I'm not surprised, but am surprised how the name has stuck to them here. It's a Simpsons reference, the name of Homer's pet lobster.

LOL.... Mr Pinchy. That's hilarious now that I get it! I'm not to bright, so I need things explained

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BASguy · **Reply #19 on:** May 30, 2015, 11:06:16 PM

The MP600 strikes again....literally. I had a junked out truck that had to be towed off for scrap and finally got around to doing it. The cab doors were locked years ago, and a quick strike with the extended plier tip on lower corner of the driver window collapsed the safety glass. Of course the keys were in the ashtray....lol.

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Lynn LeFey · **Reply #20 on:** May 31, 2015, 09:47:42 AM

Quote from: BASguy on May 30, 2015, 11:06:16 PM

Of course the keys were in the ashtray....lol.

Ah... dang it! You just gave away Southeastern Ohio's entire security protocol.

scattergun13 · **Reply #21 on:** June 01, 2015, 05:59:56 AM

FWIW I BN'd two Diesels and love the way they turned out. I've now done that to almost all of my 600's and even modded two of them to have black handles with silver tools and silver handles with black tools. They look great and I too can attest to the window breaking abilities of the blunt nose pliers. Good stuff.

Loyalty,

Stew...

Etherealicer · **Reply #22 on:** June 01, 2015, 09:32:38 AM

Quote from: scattergun13 on June 01, 2015, 05:59:56 AM

FWIW I BN'd two Diesels and love the way they turned out. I've now done that to almost all of my 600's and even modded two of them to have black handles with silver tools and silver handles with black tools. They look great and I too can attest to the window breaking abilities of the blunt nose pliers. Good stuff.

Loyalty,

Stew...

scattergun13 · **Reply #23 on:** June 01, 2015, 12:23:38 PM

Quote from: Etherealicer on June 01, 2015, 09:32:38 AM

Quote from: scattergun13 on June 01, 2015, 05:59:56 AM
FWIW I BN'd two Diesels and love the way they turned out. I've now done that to almost all of my 600's and even modded two of them to have black handles with silver tools and silver handles with black tools. They look great and I too can attest to the window breaking abilities of the blunt nose pliers. Good stuff.

Loyalty,

Stew...

Sorry,
We are retooling all our computers at work so I have no way of sending pics unless someone who trusts me will let me text them to their cell phone then post them. They look awesome.

Stew...